Five innovators in the Nigerian agric space have received N25 million in grant at the Agriculture Summit Africa AgroPitch sponsored by Sterling Bank Plc.This is even as the bank reiterated its commitment towards the HEART strategy which promotes Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable energy and Transportation.At the end of the pitch by 10 agro-innovators, Green Republic Farms Limited, a women-led social enterprise promoted by Baliqees Salaudeen emerged the overall winner. She was rewarded with a N5 million grant with a fully funded scholarship to the Lagos Business School(LBS).The second position went to Eden-Acres Integrates Farm promoted by Mrs Ozioma Onwordi while Kernelinc Resources Limited promoted by Amajuoyi Ikechukwu emerged third. Duketrah Fisheries led by Bidemi Olorunkooba at fourth position and OG Capital owned by Godwin Adoga at fifth position and winning N5 million each.Speaking during the pitch, Group head of Agric and Solid Minerals, Sterling Bank, Dr Shola bikanye, said that agriculture was at the heart of the five sectors of the economy that the bank was focusing on. He said “a visionary leadership at Sterling Bank Plc had selected five sectors to focus on including, Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation.“Agriculture is at the heart of the HEART acronym. We have supported the agriculture value chain and this forum has provided valuable solutions through the assemblage of stakeholders. The Agriculture Summit Africa has come to have a life of its own and it is Sterling Bank’s gift to the sector,” he said.According to him, it is not a coincidence that focus Agriculture stands in the middle of the HEART acronym, “We are merely trying to underscore the fact that for us in Sterling Bank, Agriculture is at the heart of the other sectors in our strategic focus. We have embraced the entire value chain, “ he stated.Obikanye said, since its maiden edition in 2019, ASA had played a pivotal role in addressing critical issues within the nation’s agricultural sector.
He noted that ASA 2023 with the theme: ‘Empowering Innovations: A Confluence of Capital, Vision, and Agribusiness Enterprise,’ is apt because of the bank’s belief that the sector that engages predominant quantum of the country’s population will be that sector to look out for that will lead the prosperity of the nation.He further said, the initiative has rightly earned its place as a cornerstone event for the agriculture sector in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the driving force behind ASA AgroPitch 2023 was rooted in ASA’s commitment to financing Nigeria’s agriculture sector and fostering the change needed for advancement.Meanwhile, Sterling Bank has again emerged as the Overall Best Workplace in Nigeria, large corporate category, for the year 2023.This was announced at a recent awards ceremony organised by the Great Place to Work (GPTW) Institute in Lagos. This victory extends the bank’s streak to five straight years of accolades as one of the top destinations for talent in the country. The GPTW Institute announced Sterling as winners in the following categories, Best Place to Work; Large Corporate Category, Best in Promoting People Leadership Practices; Large Corporate Category, and the Best in Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in the Large Corporate Category.Speaking at the event, chairman of Sterling Bank, Asue Ighodalo said: “now, more than ever in the life of our country, we must create an environment that enables an inclusive and consistent growth rate of over seven percent year-on-year to emerge from our present economic and social predicament.”Describing himself as a firm believer in private sector-led growth, Ighodalo noted that, creative, disciplined, innovative, and efficient organisations, manned by visionary, selfless, hardworking, satisfied, and passionate people will catalyse the growth of the national economy.“People are the heartbeat of any organisation, driving it forward with their individual and collective efforts. They are not just assets; they are the essence of the company, making it vibrant and alive,” he said.
